Vacuum massaging apparatus



Aug 23, 1938. N. KUTZ 2,127,872

VACUUM MASSAGING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 12, 1957 Patented Aug.` 23, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 12, 1937, Serial No. 125,485 In Germany October 13, 1936 1 Claim.

This invention relates to vacuum massaging apparatus and is particularly directed to vacuum massaging apparatus of the type in which the massaging head is connected through an air passage with a vacuum producing device.

The invention resides inthe novel construction of the apparatus which makes it particularly suitable for easy and eifective manipulation.

The apparatus consists essentially of a body portion provided on one end with a compressible rubber handle and on the opposite end with a massaging head, a suctionrecess in the massaging head, and an air passage extending through the massaging head and body portion and connecting the suction recess with the hollow compressible rubber handle.

According to a preferred form of construction the massaging head is provided with a rubber ring mounted on the peripheral edge portion of the wall defining the suction recess, and this edge portion is shaped in a manner to provide a secure seat for said rubber ring.

However, it is also possible to shape the edge portion of the Wall defining the suction recess in such a way that a rubber ring can be dispensed with. In the latter case, the edge portion of the massaging head is given a flange-like shape to provide a broad and effective massaging surface when the apparatus is applied to the skin.

It is also within the concept of my invention to increase the depth of the suction recess to such an extent that an insert consisting of a body of material that is capable of producing a suction effect, such as sponge either natural or of rubber, felt cushions, or cushions or brushes having bristles of rubber or plant fibre can be inserted therein. Such insert may serve as a supporting means for coldcream, oil, lotion, or other skin treating preparation. These inserts may be provided with either one or a plurality of perforations. If only one perforation is used it is preferably arranged in such position (preferably in the center) that it is in alignment with the aperture defining the air passage in the bottom wall of the recess. If a plurality of perforations are used in the insert, the bottom wall of the recess is preferably arched rather than fiat to ensure the unhindered passage of air from the perforations through the air passage in the body portion, and vice versa.

The inserts used in the recess may differ in thickness. Each may be of such thickness that, when inserted in the recess, the outer surface thereof projects beyond the side walls of the recess and the rubber ring; or of such thickness (Cl. 12S-300) that its outer surface and the outer edge of the rubber ring are in the same plane; or of such thickness that the outer surface remains inside the recess formed by the side walls and the rubber ring. v

In order to provide a secure seat for the insert in the recess, the side walls of the insert may be conical in shape, in which case theA walls dening the inside of the recess would be of a similar shape. It is also possible to provide the inside of the recess with an annular projection that is adapted to engage the insert and preventing it from dropping out of the recess.

The massaging head may be of circular or of oval shape. For massaging the skin of the face and body a circular head is desirable, while for the massaging of the lips the oval shape is preferable.

In order to make my invention more readily understood I will now proceed to describe the apparatus with'the aid of the accompanying draw- 20 ing, in which Figure l is a side elevation of the apparatus with a rubber ring mounted on the massaging head;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through 25 the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through a massaging head with shallow recess and with side walls of the recess shaped to serve as the massaging flange;

Figure 4 is a similar View through a massaging head formed with a deep, flat bottomed recess and having an insert of such thickness that its outer surface is iiush with the rubber massaging Tmg;

Figure 5 is a similar View through a massaging head formed with a deep recess having an arched bottom wall and an insert of such thickness that its outer surface remains inside the recess, and the insert provided with a plurality of perforations;

Figure 6 is a similar view through a massaging head formed with a deep recess having an arched bottom, an insert projecting beyond the outer edge of the rubber massaging ring and secured in the recess by means of an annular projection on the inside of the recess;

Figure 7 is a similar view through a massaging head formed with deep recess and insert, the insert and the inner side walls of the recess being conically shaped and provided with a plurality of perforations at the circumference of the insert;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the massaging head as illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a plan View of a massaging insert with straight side Walls and one central perforation;

Figure 10 is a plan View of an insert with conical side walls and a plurality of perforations;

Figure 11 is a plan view of an insert with conical side walls and a plurality of perforations at the circumference; and

Figures 12 and 13 are respectively fragmentary bottom plan views of oval shaped massaging heads arranged horizontally and transversely of the body portion.

In the drawing like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein A represents the body portion, B the compressible rub ber handle, and C the massaging head. The massaging head C is provided with either a shallow suction recess a (Figures 2 and 3), for mas saging directly with the suction recess without an insert, or with a deep suction recess b (Figures 4 7), for massaging with an insert c that may serve as a supporting means for cold cream, oil lotions and the like. The insert c is provided With either one or a plurality of perforations e, f, g (Figures 4-7) for the passage of air through the insert c and the air passage d when the handle B is compressed and released. On the edge of the massaging head C, a rubber ring h has been mounted, and, in order to ensure a secure seat of the ring on the edge of the head, the edge has been provided with a hookelike projection i. In Figure 3 the edge of the suction recess has been given the shape of a massaging ilange 7c, for which reason no rubber ring will be needed. In Figures 5-'7 I have shown the suction recesses provided with arched bottoms l to ensure the unhindered flow of air through inserts having a plurality of perforations f or g such as those illustrated in Figures 5, '7, l0 and 11. In Figure 6 the walls defining the inside of the recess are provided with an annular projection o for holding the insert securely in position and thereby preventing it from dropping out of the recess. In Figure '7 the recess is provided with inverted conical side Walls m for use with an insert similarly shaped as illustrated in Figures 10 and 1l. As shown in Figure 2, the portion p of the device which carries the rubber handle, is preferably of conical shape and is formed with a rough or threaded surface q to afford a safe and immovable seat for the handle.

The device may be used for massaging Without an insert for producing beneficial results. Such form of device is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Through the use of an insert, a skin treatment with cold cream, oil or lotions will be added to the massaging effect. The oval shape of the massaging head is particularly suited for the treatment of the lips.

It will be noted that the body portion A and handle B of the device are arranged at an oblique angle to the hollow massaging head C so that the device may be easily operated by the user on any portion of his face or body.

What I claim is:

A vacuum massaging device comprising a body portion having a suction head, said head having a recess wider at its inner end than at its outer end, the inner end of said head terminating in an arched wall whereas the outer peripheral edge terminates in an outwardly and upwardly curved supporting flange, said body having a bore eX- tending therethrough into the arched wall and communicating with said recess, a tapered detachable insert formed of resilient material conforming substantially in outer dimensions with the internal dimensions of the recessed head so as to be held securely therein, the ends of said insert having opposed flat surfaces, the exposed flat surface of said insert lying ilush with the I peripheral edge of the head, an annular rubber massaging element securely engaged over the head iiange, said element extending below the plane of the exposed surface of said insert, said insert having at least one aperture communicating with said bore, and a hollow rubber bulb connected to said body portion and communicating with said bore.

NIKOLAUS KU'IZ. 

